We Were Here

Play trailer

We Were Here

2011

1h 30m

Documentary

Biography

History

Drama

LGBTQ+

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

45 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

During the 1970s, San Francisco became a safe haven for the gay and lesbian community, providing a place where one could live openly, away from discrimination. But, after almost a decade of celebration, the city was hit by a wave of shock and grief when it became ground zero of the AIDS epidemic, with hundreds of gay men falling victim to the disease. Director David Weissman explores the incredible story of love and loss through the eyes of five men and women who experienced it firsthand.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

We Were Here revisits the crises facing the gay community in the early 1980s -- and offers a powerful tribute to the inspiring resolve shown at a time of turmoil.

Read Critics Reviews

Monica Castillo

Bitch Media

May 10, 2016

We Were Here does not move behind the scope of San Francisco, which I considered a benefit. It allows the viewer to fully immerse themselves in the story.

Go to Full Review

London Evening Standard

Nov 25, 2011

4/5

Weissman documents the ingenuity, generosity and optimism of a community that fell victim to a horrible disease that, with astonishing speed, turned the world inside out.

Go to Full Review

Andrew Pulver

Guardian

Nov 25, 2011

3/5

Even if, understandably, it's a little inward-looking (the ongoing disaster in Africa gets barely a mention), as a slice of social history, We Were Here takes an invigoratingly positive position on a very gloomy time.

Go to Full Review

Steve Cruz

OUT FRONT Magazine (Denver)

May 9, 2023

This documentary illuminates the profound personal and community issues raised by the AIDS epidemic as well as the broad political and social upheavals it unleashed.

Go to Full Review

David Lamble

Bay Area Reporter

Jun 10, 2020

The best film effort to date that can unite the generations until there's a cure

Go to Full Review

Ellin Stein

The Arts Desk

May 27, 2020

This powerful, affecting film should help ensure that by remembering the past we will not be condemned to repeat it.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Tim G

@tmgreene22 Dec 28, 2017

Beautiful, both so incredibly sad and inspiring.

See more

Jan 24, 2017

Heartfelt and horrific, this documentary offers a glimpse into the AIDS epidemic (over 15,000 killed) of the early 80s in San Francisco. It's an overwhelmingly sad piece of history, but the first-hand stories are a reminder of how important a strong and brave community can be in the face of terror.

See more

Feb 24, 2015

Moving, heartfelt documentary that reflects on first hand accounts of the early days of the AIDS epidemic in San Francisco. This is an important piece of history that should never be forgotten and should be viewed for generations to come.

See more

Feb 17, 2015

Survivors of the early days of the HIV/AIDS crisis tell their stories of survival. With a new more aggressive form of HIV spreading in Cuba, stories we can't afford to forget. CDW

See more

Feb 7, 2015

Moral of the story? Politicians never get things right. Ever!

See more

Oct 8, 2014

A moving portrait of five survivors of the devastation that was caused by AIDS in (mainly) the eighties and nineties in San Francisco. Recommended!

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

David Weissman

Director

Bill Weber

Director

Paul Boneberg

Actor

Ed Wolf

Actor

Daniel Goldstein

Actor

Guy Clark

Actor

How to Survive a Plague

98%

83%

How to Survive a Plague

Watchlist

Bill Cunningham New York

99%

92%

Bill Cunningham New York

Watchlist

The Broken Tower

20%

19%

The Broken Tower

Watchlist

Mumia: Long Distance Revolutionary

50%

89%

Mumia: Long Distance Revolutionary

Watchlist

The Sons of Tennessee Williams

69%

90%

The Sons of Tennessee Williams

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Critics Consensus: Contagion and Warrior are Certified Fresh

View more photos

Synopsis

During the 1970s, San Francisco became a safe haven for the gay and lesbian community, providing a place where one could live openly, away from discrimination. But, after almost a decade of celebration, the city was hit by a wave of shock and grief when it became ground zero of the AIDS epidemic, with hundreds of gay men falling victim to the disease. Director David Weissman explores the incredible story of love and loss through the eyes of five men and women who experienced it firsthand.

Director: David Weissman, Bill Weber
Producer: David Weissman
Distributor: Red Flag Releasing
Production Co: Weissman Projects
Genre: Documentary, Biography, History, Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 9, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 23, 2017
Runtime: 1h 30m

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings